A fundamental choice for Critical Minerals development: "Fascism or radical democracy?"

The global demand for critical minerals like lithium and copper is surging, but how we attempt to quickly extract them, argues Katherine Teh , Executive Chairman of Spektrum Development , presents a fundamental choice: embrace authoritarian tactics that disregard communities or pursue transparent, consent-based development. In this pivotal moment, the stakes are high-ranging, from environmental destruction to lost economic potential. Which path should be chosen? Katherine Teh of Spektrum Development addressing the 2024 ACFID Conference WE ARE AT a crossroads in the energy transition. The gap between what the mining industry promises and what it delivers has been widening, creating not only delays but the potential for significant socio-economic and environmental risks. As the demand for critical minerals like copper, graphite, and lithium increases, we’re facing mounting challenges in securing these resources quickly enough to support the transition to renewable energy. The Problem...

Aspire raises production target for Ovoot coking coal in Mongolia

Australia-listed Aspire Mining said it has raised the eventual production target for its wholly-owned Ovoot coking coal project in Mongolia to 12 Mt/y, from 10.5 Mt/year. Recent coal washability test results confirmed a high theoretical yield of 80% with 8% ash content, giving Ovoot the potential to be the lowest-ash coking coal producer in Mongolia, Aspire said.

"It is clear from the results that coal from some areas of the deposit may not need to be washed," Aspire managing director David Paull said . That would result in lower operating costs and less coal washing capacity, he added.

The company has raised its output projection for a second-stage development of Ovoot to 12 Mt/y, assuming run-of-mine coal of 15 Mt/y, which would place Ovoot among the world's largest coking coal mines. However, Ovoot's first stage development would be a much smaller scale project of 500,000 t/y - 1 Mt/y due to limitations of road trucking capabilities, Paull told Platts.